Sunshine Squad Spreading Cheer + DIY Sun Craft for Kids

sunshine gift package

My creativity has been little to non-existent during this COVID-19 pandemic, and I’ve been spending time doing other things I don’t often do. My kids and I wanted to do something for our neighbors to cheer them up from a sad, or boring COVID-19 day indoors. Sunshine = cheer, so we scoured our house for yellow craft materials, and shopped for goodies on our Walmart app to add to our pick-up order. This DIY sunshine project was art class for the day, and PE, too, because we walked the neighborhood to deliver the bright packages of sunshine. This was not intended to be a post, but I thought I’d share the idea (+ free printable below) in case you all want to spread sunny cheer in your own lives, or start a #sunshinesquad too.

What’s been your sunshine during these long COVID-19 days? Between the dire news reports, economic concerns, societal shut-down, stresses at home and work (what little work there is), some days we have to hunt for a bit of that golden shine we so desperately need, literally and figuratively. My sunshine during this time has been a longer than originally planned trip, fresh air and sunshine, special time at home with family, snuggles from my kids, and perspective. Some days are dreary and anxiety-ridden. But, most days are simple and good. It may be the introvert in me, but I really enjoy being at home with my kids and my husband, and I love the slower pace of life. I know I’ve been beyond blessed with my circumstances during this pandemic. I am truly grateful for the doctors and nurses on the front lines, and all other brave Americans still working to keep American running, and to help keep us safe and healthy. Thank you!

Now, let’s get this sunshine party started…

Materials:

  • Astrobrights Paper
  • yellow paper plates, 7 inch and 9 inch
  • Sharpie or Elmer’s Paint Pen
  • Hot glue gun and hot glue
  • yellow “sunshine” goodies that fit in a paper plate
  • scissors

Directions:

Step 1: Buy yellow plates, or paint the back of any paper plates yellow. Also, buy things that remind you of sunshine. I bought easy and inexpensive items from Walmart pick-up including yellow balloons (my kids play with balloons for hours), yellow hair ties, yellow Juicy Fruit gum, skittles (aka rainbow seeds with these adorable free labels) and also Emergen-C for an extra vitamin C boost.

yellow sunshine packages-crafts for kids

Step 2: Draw a cute face on the plates. You can use a Sharpie, or a Paint Pen. I used pink acrylic paint for the cheeks.

yellow sunshine packages-crafts for kids

Step 3: Cut colorful triangles for the rays of sunshine. They don’t have to be perfect – just cut the triangle without sketching an outline first. With a hot glue gun, glue the paper triangle on the under-side of the “face plate.”

yellow sunshine packages-crafts for kids-sunshine squad

Step 4: Fill the top of one plate with goodies, and make sure the items do not touch the rim. Next, add a ring of hot glue on the under-side of the face plate, and quickly place it on the bottom plate with the goodies.

yellow DIY paper plate sunshine packages-crafts for kids

Step 5: Add a tag so you can sign the back, and remind your friends to open the sun for a fun “dose” of sunshine. I used Canva to make a quick tag right before delivering them today. The labels are available for free here. Now, spread the sunshine. I walked the neighborhood with my favorite little sunshine squad. We can’t wait to deliver more. This is a great gift now during COVID-19, but also when someone is going through a rough time, or even a birthday any time of the year.

yellow sunshine packages-crafts for kids

sunshine-squad-DIY-sunshine-packages

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